Moving, Evading, and Attacking
The source of all power is Earth. Take that away and one is lost.

L1 - 72 Fist Kung Fu 1 to 8

Shaolin is not an attacking style. Each fist is a response to an attack. Unless you live in a violent area, you may want to look at the many street violence videos posted on social media to get an idea of street violence. Note the so many attacks are similar? Not that most attacks are successful because the attacked hands are down or they are trying to be smart. When confronted, bring your hands up to protect your face. In Shaolin, we use the guard stance except with open hands to make our posture non aggressive or confrontational. Perhaps, look at the Shaolin Academy recording of the guard stance, before you watch anything else? Click on the recording expansion button and watch it!

It is amazing how many people hurt themselves learning martial arts! I do not mean the type where you toughen your body to become less susceptible to the shock of a solid punch or kick, but by the way the train techniques incorrectly and dangerously. There are a few guides to learning Shaolin Kung Fu if you wish to be healthy and fit when you are old.

1. Prepare your body for training, always! At the very least have a short stretching and loosening routine! Ideally, follow the Shaolin Academy warm-up to the right.
2. Never fully extend your kicks or punches. This is damaging on your joints and makes you vulnerable. Always keep your arms and legs off-lock when in a confrontation.
3. Do not initiate an attack! There is never just one fight but often there are five.
   1. The initial confrontation.
   2. The possible legal ramifications if the police become involved.
   3. The civil case that may arise when there is a serious injury (think of all the cameras, phones, body cams, dash cams, security cams, recording us all the time.)
   4. Your conscience if you used inappropriate or excessive force.
   5. Your reputation, once the recording his social media! This may effect your job prospects.
4. First learn and safely perfect your skills before using full strength and speed. Training slowly allows your brain to direct your body to move in the correct safe way. The devil is always in the detail!
5. If you register with the Shaolin Academy, you can as Sijo Robert Z about any aspect that is unclear or difficult. Use it!

Rush your learning and your kung fu will be weak! If you want to rely on your bulk, size, or strength, then go to the gym. If you want to learn the skills of masters, it will not be as simple as going to the gym.

I hope you enjoy the program.

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The 72 Fist Levels

Prologue

72 Fists is not a fighting style, a ring art, for sparring, or war. It is a self defence art. The principle of 72 Fist is step away, defend, counter, finish, and escape. It is for people who need a defence for when they walk down the street and are suddenly confronted by an attacker or mugger. No time for 911 or 000: shout Fire, step away, defend, counter, finish, and escape. It is much the same as Aido, which is the same in principle except with a sword. Step away, block/defend, counter (prevent a second attack), debilitate the attacker, get away or deal with the next attack.

Because of this, you need to be proficient in the Fist style. Not just learn them, but practice them then reenact attack with a friend. Just knowing and training the Fists for health and fitness is good, but for real life situations, each technique must be done a thousand times until it is second nature. When you are attacked, you Fight-Freeze-Flight instinct sets in. If you have no tools, like the 72 Fist to fight, the surprise and lack of skill may/will cause you to freeze unless the attacker gives you time to run. Run toward a light, camera, people, shop or the like.

History

After the first destruction of the Shaolin Temple, monks had to defend themselves. Even though they did not have much, they usually had cloths, possibly a tool or staff, food, and the like. Traveling the countryside, there was no law. If you could not discourage attack, you would usually die of exposure or injury. Shaolin developed the 72 Fist style (to the best that one can discern from scarce historical records) for journey monks to protect themselves.

It was a hard and harsh style which earned the Shaolin the reputation of 'do not touch'. This was not good so the 72 Fists were redeveloped into 170 moves a sort of Judo, throw-down, fast wrestling style. With the addition of pressure points, it became more effective than the 72 Fists and caused less damage. Yet, you need a deep knowledge of pressure points, not just from a book but from actual human experiments like the Shaolin did in the temple. Short of this, the 72 Fists are the most effective impacting street defence style.

Not grappling, which is useless if there is more than one person attacking. Very little kicking and used as a last resort. Much of today's clothing allows kicks but when you kick, you are not moving (usually) The key to self defence is evasion, avoidance and then assertion (AAA). Stay on your feet, stun and run, if you can, else continue until you can.

Key Information

Please view the Safety First recording before you do anything and always do a warm-up before any training or exercise!

Your Safety and Health

Reference Techniques

How strong you stand, how secure you fell and thus project can make the difference to a would-be attacker. Usually, they look for victims not challenges and if someone looks competent, stands firm, and walks assured, all this is usually a red flag for a mugger, thief, and thug. Reduce the change of becoming a victim by having a good posture, stance, and walk. This is a good place to start and understand that 'If you know Kung Fu, you may never need it'. Yes, there are a lot of blocks and other techniques so use these links as a reference when you come to one of the 72 Fists that uses a technique that you are not familiar with.

72 Fist Routines

Gray Sash Fists 1 to 8

The initial eight fists are simple but varied. Each introduces a concept that may not be always immediately apparent. Compare the 1^st Fist with the 2^nd and understand the difference. If you need help, contact us through email.

White Sash Fists 9 to 16

Yellow Sash Fists 17 to 24

Orange Sash Sash Fists 25 to 32

Blue Sash Animal Fists 33 to 40

Red Sash Fists 41 to 48

Purple Sash Fists 49 to 56

Navy Sash Fists 57 to 64

Green Sash Fists 65 to 72

Brown Sash Fists, the Extras

To support us in our task of maintaining this information and updating, we ask for a small yearly contribution through PayPal. It is not much and includes email support from Sijo Robert Z on anything you find on our WEB site.

I have a question or I need help

• Call us between 11am and 5pm, Tuesday to Friday & Sunday on 0458 742 654 that is 0458 SHAOLIn
• e-mail us at the Shaolin Academy
• Drop into any of our venues at least 30 minutes before class start.
• Or in a special case, you can also arrange a personal meeting with Master Robert Z. You can call him on 0458 742 654 (0458 SHAOLIn).